Flashback: Obasanjo’s Son Once Backed Buhari as Atiku’s Son Now Supports Tinubu

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A fresh political twist has emerged as Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, the son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, publicly endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027—despite his father’s long-standing rivalry with the current president.

The announcement, which surfaced late Thursday, immediately generated nationwide reactions due to the complex political history between Tinubu and Atiku, who were once allies before becoming fierce competitors in subsequent elections.

Commonly referred to as Abba, the younger Atiku not only declared support for President Tinubu but also officially switched allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He further instructed members and coordinators of the Haske Atiku Organisation—his political team active during the 2023 elections—to join the APC and back the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He stated:
“My name is Abubakar Atiku Abubakar, but everyone calls me Abba. I am here today to formally announce my exit from my former party, where we worked in 2023, and my decision to join the APC. With this development, I will work to actualise the second-term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027.”

Political Irony and Family Dynamics

Analysts have described the situation as another reminder that politics is driven by interests, not permanent alliances. The development also echoes a similar case from the 2019 election cycle, when Olujonwo Obasanjo—son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo—endorsed Muhammadu Buhari despite his father’s passionate opposition to Buhari’s second-term bid.

At the time, Obasanjo Senior urged Nigerians to reject Buhari, but his son publicly took a different path.

In a detailed two-page endorsement letter during the 2019 campaign, Olujonwo acknowledged human imperfection but highlighted what he believed were key achievements of Buhari’s government, stating that continuity would benefit Nigeria’s future.

He wrote:
“The current administration has begun the process of laying a solid foundation for future generations. They have deliberated and contemplated extensively on our myriad of issues and complexity as a nation to proffer deeply rooted plans and policies to tackle and establish a strong base on which to build and consolidate upon.

“It is also important to note that this process is not without pains, but we should consider where we were, where we are and where we are going. The current administration has given hope to the common man; it is the dawn of a new age.

“I would humbly and strongly appeal that we all embrace and support Buhari’s government in his aggressive, relentless pursuit of equitable distribution of wealth and resources to the masses to aid the growth and development of our nation. He is seriously improving and empowering local farmers, industrialists, women, SMEs and businessmen.

“The government is serious about development and has given new life to the steel industry, and the Buhari administration is determined to industrialise our nation and to make us a producing nation. The revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex and the completion of the Baro and Lokoja ports are examples.

“The current administration has sought to address our importation of petroleum products through the relocation of refineries. These are a few examples; a whole book is needed to put the achievements and successes of the current administration into detail. The current administration has invested more in education, health, agriculture, security, and road infrastructure development to aid the growth of the economy despite receiving less revenue.

“The ingenuity of the current administration in proffering solutions is highly commendable. No human is perfect, no government is perfect; only the Creator of heaven and earth embodies perfection. We are on the right path and should not deviate.

“The youths of our great nation should join hands and support the progress and giant strides of President Buhari. He is working commendably to free us from past bondage and captivity.

“We are on the right path, but we must not go back into bondage again. I am calling on the youths of our nation to let us work together to return President Buhari to power in 2019.”